HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Essay Example L&D of employees gives them the required motivation to continue working in the organisation. Therefore, it is important to note that employee L&D initiatives aim at capacity building which essentially translates to higher performance and increased efficiency. Organisations are required to meet set targets and remain focused on their vision and mission and a skilled and knowledgeable workforce bridges the gap between targets and achievements. This paper will look into L&D strategies in organisations, methods of L&D and leaning styles and models at work. L&D strategy in organisations L&D strategies are vastly used by managers to manage the different talents within an organisational setting while building a culture of development. In order to accomplish these successfully, determination of employees’ development needs is essential. A great deal of learning within an organisation occurs as employees interact with one another and the management needs to encourage this development. Peer coaching programs can be of assistance where skills are transferred from one employee to the other. Formal mentoring approaches can also be initiated so as to attain specific development objectives and they include needs assessment, program design and management, mentor and mentee and evaluation programs (Wilton 2010). Learning groups can also be used where peers come up with specific goals to achieve which are embedded in a practical structure. Leadership development skills can also be imparted through learning groups where a senior member of staff brings forth discussions on real scenarios in the workplace. These groups use case studies, presentations and problems solving discussions among others in order to enhance understanding of concepts. Tasks at the workplace can also serve to boost employee skills acting as on-the-job learning. A good L&D strategy needs to have certain elements one of them being a sound L&D philosophy which entails a clearly defined structure which L&D initiatives should follow. Secondly, aims of the L&D strategy should be well spelt out in order to facilitate direction of organisation’s energy and resources. Priorities for L&D also need to be put forth so as to give sequence of events (Mayo 2004). The strategy should also include transferring of responsibilities bestowed on senior management to lower ranking staff. It is important to note that learning is both formal and informal as briefly highlighted above. Informal learning is quite relevant to employee needs while formal one is relevant to needs of some people and not others. Informal learning involves taking care of individual needs while formal teaches the same things to all irrespective of unique needs. Informal learning is learner centred while the other is trainer centred (Clifford and Thorpe 2007). Informal learning is easily transferable while the formal one is at times hard to apply. Formal learning is predominantly in the work setting while formal one happens elsewhere. Organisational learning enhances good management skills thereby facilitating management development. Organisational learning interrelates with learning culture which ensures that all employees are continuously learning as they work. In order to develop a working culture an organisation should have a vision that is shared by all. It should endeavour to empower employees through policies, behaviour expectations and ceding as much responsibility as possible to facilitate growth in decision making skills (Clifford and Tho

Sustainable Management Futures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Sustainable Management Futures - Essay Example The Body Shop’s business is not only concerned for profit generation motive but are also concerned about society and environment and belief in sustainable growth. The Body Shop has their community suppliers. There are around 31 community trade related suppliers in 24 countries. Their commitment is towards trading fairly and purchasing ingredients through Community Trade Programs. They provide preference to rural areas to become the member of the community trade for the growth of economy. The motive of community trading is to provide occupation and to build their livelihood (The Body Shop, 2006). The Body Shop International Plc is a natural, original and ethical cosmetic brand. All the products of The Body Shop are vegetarian. The company is against animal testing and is recognized as the first international cosmetics brand that was ‘Against Animal Testing’ policy. The Body Shop Foundation was launched in the year 1990 with a registered charity number. It is the co mpany’s own charitable foundation which specially focuses to help those who believe in development of the society (The Body Shop, 2011). . PESTEL Analysis PESTEL analysis enables to identify macro environmental aspects that generally are seen as prime drivers for change. The Body Shop has a global presence in number of countries throughout the world. In this context, the situational analysis of The Body Shop will be conducted with respect to the UK scenario. In the UK, the organisations that operate in the cosmetic industry have to abide by the ISO 22716 safety related standards which had been published on February 2010. The organisation such as The Body Shop has to select the specification that they come under from this certificate. In the UK, organisations have to abide by international trade policy to import and export their products. In recent times there has been an increase in the demand for online products. The government as well as the industry of the UK has supported the scheme related to trust mark, which has significantly helped in increasing the demand for online purchases. The exchange rates in the UK have been fluctuating with respect to Pound and also in the various countries from which the company acquires its raw materials. It has impacted in raising the import cost of raw materials as well as finish products. There has been an increase in VAT (Value Added Tax) to 20% in 2010, which has prompted an increase in daily commodity prices and would reduce the consumers from purchasing cosmetics related products. In the UK, high labour cost has been a concern in recent times which obstructed the company from fully exploring their global strategies. In the UK, the percentage of people in the age group of 65 to 85 is increasing, which would provide an opportunity of increasing sales regarding the anti-aging cosmetics. In the year 2012, the London Olympic Games will provide an option to create increased awareness of the products of the company am ong the huge number of visitors in the UK. The growing trend of natural products that are environment friendly will provide The Body Shop a massive growth prospect as the